Fashionistas at the Great Yorkshire Show

Harrogate – A sneak preview at some of this autumn’s high street fashion collections as well as new designs from the region’s youngest Yorkshire designers will be a “must see” for thousands at England’s premier agricultural event. The Great Yorkshire Show, which attracts visitors from across the UK and beyond, is well known as a shop window for the farming industry, but preparations are well underway for one of the most stylish elements of the event, the catwalk shows.

Dates for what will be the 155th Great Yorkshire Show are Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 July and the venue is the showground on the edge of Harrogate.

The Skipton Building Society Fashion Pavilion is the setting for the four daily shows of the very best runway trends. This year, making their Great Yorkshire Show debut is the Pure Collection, the Harrogate-based fashion company, with a preview of their autumn/winter range of luxury cashmere and silk.

Also new for 2013 is Umpie Yorkshire who are launching a range of fun and practical tote and evening bags. The three ladies from near Northallerton have proved that “keeping it in the family” certainly works as their business has gone from strength to strength. Three years ago sisters Ruth and Joanna Umpleby and cousin Alison were keen to find a new career for themselves and Umpie Bags was the result. Still with a “Yorkshire theme” is the eye-catching Whitby jet jewellery from W Hamond, with some pieces created for the Great Yorkshire Show.

Mary Benson, who originates from Leeds, provides a definite “zany” look with her new quirky collection again this is being launched at the Great Yorkshire Show. Mary’s experience includes working for the world famous British designer, Alexander McQueen.

Brook Taverner’s elegant menswear is again in the spotlight plus a selection from their new cruisewear range. Stylish casual wear is presented by Joules and there’s a chance to catch up on the current range from popular high street retailer, Hobbs.

And check out the Stella McCartneys of tomorrow, with collections from fashion students at Newcastle’s Northumbria University, and also Harrogate College.

The fashion shows take place each day at 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4pm with Tyne Tees Television’s Claire Montgomery and Adam Tomlinson of BBC Radio York as comperes.

The shows are co-ordinated by Morton Gledhill The Fashion Team. Hair and makeup is courtesy of Bradford College.

It costs around £3m each year to stage the farming showcase which celebrates the best of British farming and provides an insight into rural life. Elsewhere on the showground one of the highlights will be a mock battle staged by The Yorkshire Regiment each day in the Main Ring and there will be displays by The White Helmets, The Royal Signals’ Motor Cycle Display Team. Around 5,000 animals will compete for the championship prizes, and top class show jumping will again be on the agenda, with the prestigious Ripon Select Foods Cock o’the North Trophy as the culmination of the three days of the show jumping competitions. There is also an extensive food hall, around 1,200 stands selling everything from combine harvesters to designer clothes and demonstrations of country skills.